Mon Mothma's significant dance scene, dissection by Andor's Tony Gilroy and Genevieve O'Reilly
Laid-Back Take on Andor's Epic Return
Star Wars fans across the globe are diving back into the early days of the rebellion with the second season of Andor now streaming on Disney+. Here's the lowdown on the juicy bits from io9's chat with showrunners Tony Gilroy and Genevieve O'Reilly.
During their interview, the duo tackled questions about the final moments of the third episode, as well as the origins of the three-episode "movie" arcs. Gilroy explained how this innovative approach to story arcs came about, admitting initial concerns about pulling it off.
Sabina Graves, io9: So, I heard that the initial plan for Andor was for five seasons, each covering a year, but then that evolved into these three-episode mini-movies. How much of the backstory was provided and developed as you went along?
Tony Gilroy: At first, I wondered if it would work. Would we have to drown viewers in exposition? But as we got into it, I found there was so little questions to answer. The transitions and evolving situations were easily explained through conversations, and I didn't have to write an encyclopedia of extraneous details.
io9: Genevieve, building on Mon Mothma in those formative years of the rebellion must have been quite liberating. Her emotional outburst in episode three felt particularly cathartic. What was your process for bringing that moment to life?
Genevieve O'Reilly: I felt deeply rooted in her history throughout those first three episodes, set in her family's ancestral home. The events, customs, and relationships were all implemented with minimal exposition, allowing us to grasp the cultural context intuitively. As Mon navigated the tensions between her family, political responsibilities, and the emerging rebellion, it made for a gripping narrative.
Fast forward to the emotional climax, and you can see Mon wrestling with her own internal chaos amidst the celebration. Luthen's sharp analysis of the state of the rebellion forces her to confront the harsh realities and sacrifices ahead.
io9: The way the dancing and drinking were intercut with key moments of tension added an extra layer of drama. Tony, what was the thinking behind that creative decision?
Gilroy: Creating a compelling crescendo is something my brother John and I have practiced for years, and it shines in Andor. Juxtaposing Cassian's heroics with Mon's moral dilemma while Eedy drops by for lunch brings everything to a boiling point. I also love how that scene binds viewers to the characters, as only a few know what Mon is really dealing with.
As the epic Andor season continues unfolding, catch up on what's next for the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, where the DC Universe is heading on film and TV, and every Doctor Who update you need. Enjoy the ride!
Gilroy's innovative approach to Andor's three-episode "movie" arcs resulted from a shift in the initial plan for five seasons, each covering a year. The backstory of the show was developed as they progressed, with fewer questions to answer than initially feared.
Genevieve O'Reilly deeply felt Mon Mothma's history during the first three episodes, particularly set in her family's ancestral home. The cultural context was established intuitively with minimal exposition, making Mon's emotional outburst in episode three cathartic.
Tony Gilroy's creative decision to intercut the dancing and drinking scenes with moments of tension added an extra layer of drama, crescendoing with the juxtaposition of Cassian's heroics, Mon's moral dilemma, and Eedy's unexpected visit.
As the future of Andor unfolds, fans can look forward to updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek universes, the DC Universe's direction in film and TV, and every Doctor Who update. The ride promises to be entertaining!
Gilroy admits that his initial concern about sacrificing exposition for conversations in the story arcs was unfounded, as he found that the transitions and evolving situations were easily explained through conversations.
The "implicit" exposition strategy of Andor allowed viewers to understand the characters' context and emotions intuitively, without heavy-handed explanations, making for a more compelling and engaging narrative.
